The Detroit Lions are set to face the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs this weekend.
After finishing the regular season 15-2 and clinching the NFC North, the Lions earned a first-round bye. Meanwhile, the Commanders secured their first playoff win since 2005 last Sunday, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has played a pivotal role in the team’s resurgence, and Lions quarterback Jared Goff has expressed immense respect for him.
“Yeah, it’s extremely impressive, very impressive for anyone that young to do what he’s doing,” Goff said via ProFootballTalk. “It doesn’t look like he is a rookie. It doesn’t look like he feels like a rookie. It feels like he understands the moment and is comfortable in it, and our job on defense is to try to make him uncomfortable.”
Daniels has displayed exceptional talent this season. In last Sunday’s game, he threw for 268 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Over the regular season, he tallied 3,568 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions.
The Commanders pose a significant challenge for the Lions, especially if Daniels continues to showcase his poise under pressure. Despite being a rookie, he plays with the confidence of a seasoned veteran.
He will face one of the league’s top defenses, led by Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Glenn has crafted an effective defensive unit and will develop a game plan to counter Daniels.
The Commanders-Lions game kicks off Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, with Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady on the call.
